Venezuela has re-opened its advanced trainer/light attack aircraft contest and is evaluating new tenders after reversing its selection of the Aermacchi MB339 and Alenia/Embraer AMX-ATA.
Last year, the country split its decision between the MB339 and a new tandem-seat AMX-T version offered by Embraer and fitted with Elbit avionics. High-level political and military personnel changes have subsequently made this selection null and void. The government's intent now is to cut costs again and select only a single type.
Fresh bids have been lodged by the Italian and Brazilian manufacturers, along with Aero Vodochody offering L-159s and British Aerospace, proposing the Hawk 100. Aero and British Aerospace confirm bids, but decline to give details.
The Venezuelan air force has reflown the competing aircraft, and will complete its final evaluation report soon. It is believed that Venezuela has requested bids based on the available budget rather than a number of aircraft, although 12 airframes appear to be desired.
Aero is thought to be offering 10 L-159s and BAe six Hawks. A Venezuelan order would launch the armed two-seat L-159 as the Czech air force's dual control aircraft will be restricted to training.
While 12 MB339s would meet the budget, they would not fully meet the specification, which includes a light attack/counter insurgency requirement. To meet Venezuela's budget, Alenia is bidding eight AMX-ATAs but with an option for four additional aircraft. Although a derivative of the AMX-T trainer, the AMX-ATA has full combat capabilities. It is better suited to lead-in fighter training than the less demanding advanced training role.
The re-opening of the competition is yet another twist in Venezuela's long-running search for a Rockwell T-2D Buckeye replacement. The air force is understood to be having difficulty generating sufficient sorties and is falling behind on pilot training because of its dwindling and increasingly elderly trainer fleet.
Source: Flight International
